2 Claims. (Cl. 119-109) This invention relates to a tethering device including a casing wherein a cord is held supported on a reel for withdrawal therefrom against the tension of a spring within the reel.

It is the object of my invention to provide means for completely controlling the withdrawal of the cord from the reel. A further object is so to shape the casing that such manual control of the cord may be conveniently effected. Another object is to provide means for positively locking the reel against unwinding of the cord at any time the operator may find it necessary or desirable.

Still another object is to provide means for securely and conveniently supporting the device While in use.

With these objects in view, the invention resides in the combinations hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a general view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an edge view taken in the direction of the arrowfiof Fig. 1;'and

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a modification of the device.

As illustrated in the drawings, the device comprises a casing 1 within which a spring controlled reel 2 is mounted and a cord or chain 3 extends from the reel for connection to the leash 4. The elements forming this connection include a head 5 on the end of the cord and a ring 6 which is freely mounted in this head. A swivel joint 7 is hung on the ring and the snap hook 8 of the leash is attached thereto. When so connected, it is found that complete freedom of movement of the leash is possible. No matter how much or how violently the tethered animal or animals may jump and circle about, the cord will not become twisted or entangled.

But while the tethered animal generally is free to extend the leash to the full length of the cord 3, there are times when it is desirable and often very important to be able to prevent such leash extension and the ring 6 is provided for this purpose. While the casing 1 is held in the grip of the hand, it is merely required to slip a finger, or perhaps even two fingers, into the ring in order to prevent such extension. In this connection, it is -im portant to note that the casing is particularly designed for convenient and comfortable lodging in the hand. The rear corners of the casing lare smoothly rounded so that no discomfort or pain is experienced when it is found necessary tightly to grip the casing. In the front end of the casing are sunk curved recesses 10, 11 for receiving fingers of the hand more firmly to grasp the casing. And the ring is set so close to these recesses that the middle finger may he slipped into the ring while the adjacent fingers lodge in the recesses.

It is noticed that a looped strap 12 extends from the rear end of the casing and this strap should be of a length snugly to fit about the Wrist while the casing is held in the hand. When so proportioned, it is found that the hand may be moved to slip the finger into the ring 6 without danger of losing the device in case a sudden pull on the leash should cause the casing to slip out of the hand. When in addition the strap is pivotally mounted in the casing, it is found a very easy matter to pick it up by the hand after the strap has been hung on the wrist. The device by means of which the strap is secured in position may consist of a short rod or cable 13 extending from a spherical head 14 and fitted at the outer end thereof with a loop 15 in which the ends of the strap are held seated by snap fasteners 16. When so constructed, it is seen that the strap may readily be disconnected, when it no longer is needed, and that the elements 13, 15 may be swung to one side, for comfort in tightly gripping the casing.

There are times when it is a great advantage to be able to control the extent to which the cord may be withdrawn from the reel or even entirely to prevent withdrawal therefrom. This may be done in various ways and I have for the sake of simplicity and clearness shown a lever 20 pivotally mounted on the side of the casing for rocking movement thereon. A stud 21 projects inwardly from one end of the lever normally to lodge in a perforation 22 of the reel and a spring 23 urges the lever into this position thereby rigidly to lock the reel against rotation. If at any time it is desired to allow the animal greater freedom of movement, it is merely required to depress the front end of the lever to withdraw the stud from the perforation of the reel. If at the same time a finger of the other hand has taken hold of the ring 6, it is seen that more complete control of the animal by both hands may be obtained. The moment the pressure against the lever is released, the spring '23 will urge the stud into engagement with nearest perforation 22 of the reel again to lock the reel against rotation.

Another way of controlling rotation of the reel is to mount a resilient element 25 on the casing and to secure a stud 26 to the inner surface thereof for projection into an aperture 27 of the reel upon depression of the element. The reel will in this manner normally be released for cord extension but rotation thereof can be stopped or prevented at any time by depression of the element. The aforenamed methods of tethering may be found very convenient in cases Where it is desired for particular purpose to hold small children tethered.

It is seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a very simple tethering device which is more universal in its adaption than any other similar device that has come to my notice. But while I have illustrated and described a very simple combination, it is to be understood that nothing herein disclosed is to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention and right is reserved to embody modifications, within the scope of the claims hereto appended, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim:

1. In a tethering device, a casing designed to lodge in the palm of a hand, the casing having an opening in one end thereof, a spring controlled reel pivotally mounted within the casing, a tethering cord wound on and extending from said reel through the casing opening, a head on the end of said cord, a ring freely mounted in said head, a leash extending from the ring, the ring being engageable by a finger of the hand holding the casing to prevent unwinding of the cord, the reel having a concentric series of equidistantly spaced perforations through one of the flanges thereof, a lever on the casing,

a stud on said lever extending into the casing in axial alinement with the reel perforations, and a spring urging the stud into engagement with the reel perforations, the lever being manually operable by a finger of the hand holding the casing to release the reel for rotation by pull on the leash.

2. In a tethering device, a casing designed to lodge in the palm of a hand, the casing having an opening in one end thereof, a spring controlled reel pivotally mounted within the casing, a tethering cord Wound on and extending from said reel through the casing opening, a head on the end of said cord, a ring freely mounted in said head, a leash extending from the ring, the ring being engageable by a finger of the hand holding the casing to prevent unwinding of the cord, the reel having a concentric series of equidistantly spaced perforations through one of the flanges thereof, the casing wall having a passage therethrough in axial alinement with said reel perforations, a hand lever on the casing, a stud on said lever seated in said passage, and a spring urging movement of the lever to project the stud into one of the perforations to lock the reel against rotation, the

4 lever being manually operable by a finger of the hand holding the casing to release the reel for rotation by pull on the leash.